Optically diffuse micro-channel

Abstract

An embossed micro-channel structure includes a substrate having a substrate surface. A cured layer having a cured-layer surface is formed on the substrate surface. One or more embossed micro-channels is formed in the cured layer extending from the cured-layer surface into the cured layer toward the substrate. Each micro-channel has a micro-channel bottom surface, one or more micro-channel side surface(s), and at least one of the micro-channel bottom surface or the micro-channel side surfaces is a non-planar micro-channel surface. A cured electrical conductor forming a micro-wire in each micro-channel.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Reference is made to commonly-assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith, entitled “Embossing Stamp for Optically Diffuse Micro-Channel” by Cok; commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 784,866, filed Mar. 5, 2013 entitled “Variable-Depth Micro-Channel Structure” by Cok; and commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 833,244 filed Mar. 15, 2013 entitled “Embossed Micro-Structure with Cured Transfer Material Method” by Cok et al; the disclosures of which are incorporated herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to transparent electrodes having micro-wires formed in light-controlling micro-channels.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Transparent conductors are widely used in the flat-panel display industry to form electrodes that are used to electrically switch light-emitting or light-transmitting properties of a display pixel, for example in liquid ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about a new type of micro-wire that is more transparent and easy to make. This invention is useful for making transparent electrodes for things like touch screens and displays.

Problems solved by technology

Transparent conductive metal oxides are well known in the display and touch-screen industries and have a number of disadvantages, including limited transparency and conductivity and a tendency to crack under mechanical or environmental stress.

Transparent conductive metal oxides are increasingly expensive and relatively costly to deposit and pattern.

Moreover, the substrate materials are limited by the electrode material deposition process (e.g. sputtering) and the current-carrying capacity of such electrodes is limited, thereby limiting the amount of power that can be supplied to the pixel elements.

Although thicker layers of metal oxides or metals increase conductivity, they also reduce the transparency of the electrodes.

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